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International Journal of Recent Trends in Science and Technology, ISSN 2277-2812 E-ISSN: 2249-8109

Volume 10, Issue 1, February 2014 pp 92-97

Research Article

Bacteriological Screening of Hands and Mobile Phones of Healthcare Workers and Its Management

Raghavendra M. P.¹, Shruthi K. C.¹, Shivalingaiah B.²

¹Postgraduate Department of Microbiology, Maharani’s Science College for Women,

Jhansi Lakhsmi Bai Road, Mysore 570 005, Karnataka, INDIA.

Academic Editor : Dr. Aher K.R.

Introduction: The hands and cell phones can harbor various potential pathogens and become an exogenous source of nosocomial infection among hospitalized members. The present study highlights the need of continuous screening of pathogens carried through hands and cell phones and also its proper management. Aims and Objectives: To determine nosocomial infections carried through hands and cell phones of healthcare workers and its management through surface sterilization. Material and Methods: Fifty samples collected from both hands and cell phones of healthcare workers, working in various departments at government hospital, Mandya were subjected to bacteriological analysis. Using sterile cotton tipped applicator moistened with nutrient broth samples were collected from both hands and front, back and the sides of the cell phones. Collected samples were cultured and the resulting isolates were identified. The above procedure was repeated after decontamination of cell phones using 90% alcohol. Results: Out of 50 nursing staff screened, hands swab showed 22% of Staphylococcus aureus, 3% of Streptococcus spp. and 3% of Enterobacter aerogenes where as on mobile phones swab showed 52% of Staphylococcus aureus, 34% of Streptococcus spp. and 4% of Bacillus spp. After decontamination with 90% alcohol only 4 mobile phones showed growth of bacteria which are nonhaemolytic, thus proving the efficacy of decontamination to be nearly 83%. The bacterial isolates were further subjected to antibiotic sensitivity test by disk diffusion as well as well diffusion methods on Muller Hinton agar medium. It is quite interesting to observe that different strains of Staphylococcus aureus recorded varied response to the same antibiotic used in the study. Conclusions: This is an important study carried out to report the varied response of different strains of Staphylococcus aureus against already available/used antibiotics and need of regular checking of hands and handset as a source of inoculum of potential pathogenic bacteria. The difference in genetic set up among the strains can be worked out by further molecular studies.